MALIBU, Calif. –Marv Dunphy, head coach of the Pepperdine men’s volleyball team, announced the addition of two former players to his coaching staff.J.D. Schleppenbach, a 2010 Pepperdine graduate and four-year letterwinner, joins Dunphy’s support team as an assistant coach for the 2013 season. Additionally, Kasey Crider, who finished his playing career as a Wave in 2011, will serve as a volunteer assistant coach.

“It’s great to be back,” said Schleppenbach. “This was something I didn’t realize I wanted to do, but no one was surprised when I told them I had decided to pursue a career in coaching.

“I knew this opportunity was out there, and once I started talking things over with Marv and my parents, it started to become clear that this was a good fit and where I wanted to be.”

Schleppenbach, who was a four-year starter for the Waves from 2006-10, has spent time over the last two seasons volunteering with the team, before parting ways to work full time at a local internet startup company.

“I’m very pleased to be welcoming J.D. back to Pepperdine,” commented Dunphy, now in his 30th season at the helm, “He knows the program and myself and he possess a good knowledge of all aspects of the game.”

Schleppenbach averaged 2.23 kills and 1.70 digs during his time as a player in Malibu. The 2010 All-MPSF third team performer still ranks tied for third in career digs (692), tied for seventh in digs per set (1.70), and third in sets played (407).

After graduating with a degree in international business in 2010, Schleppenbach played briefly overseas for Sun Volley in Oulu, Finland, before an injury cut the stint short. He later trained with the U.S. National team and won gold with the squad at the 2010 Pan American Games.

In addition to Schleppenbach’s volunteer coaching experience at Pepperdine, he has served as a coach for the Santa Monica Beach Club and the Balboa Bay Volleyball Club.

Crider, who played for the Waves from 2008-11, returns to his alma mater after playing professionally overseas since graduation. He played in Denmark for Boldklubben Marienlyst where he was named the Danish Super League Player of the Year and won the Best Setter Award. He led the team to a first place showing at the Nordic Cup Championship.

As a Wave, Crider was a two-time AVCA All-American and ranks second all-time at Pepperdine with 3,989 assists.

“Kasey is an eager learner and wants to help, so it’s good to have him here around the program,” said Dunphy. “He brings a lot of quality international experience to the table.”

Pepperdine’s exhibition season opens on December 29-30 when they travel to Kamloops, British Columbia for the McDonald’s Classic hosted by Thompson River University. The team hosts an exhibition against the University of Alberta on January 5 at 2 p.m. inside Firestone Fieldhouse.